S3 spider gearlever boot

How do I remove the boot for replacement?Any ideas as it seems well and truly stuck

Are we talking about the leather inside?

This is not a particularly quick job.......

The centre console surrounding the gearlever assembly needs to be removed because the gaiter is actually fitted from the underneath, and is held in place with a metal ring around the gearlever aperture. To get the centre console off you will need to do the following:

1) You need to remove the plastic cover from the centre console around the gearlever. This is clipped into the steel frame underneath at the top and bottom, but before you can do this you need to take out the clock, undo the a/c switch if fitted and remove the rubbers from the ends of the heater controls. The heater fan switch will also need to come out. The plastic is quite thin, especially at the top and right side. Take care!
2) Remove the ashtray. Disconnect the cigarette lighter and remove the round metal nut from the electric window switch, if fitted. Underneath, there is a screw that holds the cigarette lighter panel. Remove this screw and lift off the panel. You should now be able to see two 10mm nuts that fasten the rear of the console to the gearbox tunnel. There are also two 10mm bolts that hold the front centre console to the rear section. All four will need to be removed. There is also a screw underneath the handbrake gaiter, and this too should be removed to allow for ease of movement.
3) Remove the radio and metal frame. This is to get to the two top 10mm nuts that hold the centre console to the main dashboard.
4)Remove the two small screws that hold the heater controls to the centre console.
5) With all screws removed, the console should lift clear, and as it does a tug on the gearknob should be all that is required to fully remove it from the car.

Once removed, you will be able to remove the two or three self tapping screws that hold on the retaining ring for the gaiter. These are accessible by turning it over. Rest it on something soft though to avoid scratching the soft moulding which is bonded to the console.

Reassembly is the above in reverse, but don't forget all those extra little jobs that will become apparent when you start!

Sorry if this seems a bit of a long job, but it will keep you off the streets for a while.......

Good description Andyt
You should write a manual as normal ones focus on the engineering and not on interiors.
Could be a future opportunity?
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Thanks for the advice I'll give it a go and let you know how it goes

I am talking about the leather(ette)that surrounds the lever.the next reply seems to be the answer and I'll have ago,thanks for the interest.

From my note above, you may have guessed what I was doing at the weekend, although the main reason was to replace the trim after having the engine and gearbox out.........!

Just a thought - while you have the centre console removed, go a stage further and remove the right hand side carpet/plastic trim on the console to reveal the heater fan which is under the dashboard. When you have done this, drill one 4mm hole close to the bottom of the fan/motor housing, and another about 20mm up from the bottom. The hole close to the bottom is to let any water out that may get in, and the other hole is to allow you to squirt WD40 or similar into the motor to protect it from corrosion. (The hole lines up with the bottom bearing area of the motor, which will seize up if water is allowed to lie there). If you do this now, you will hopefully avoid having to buy a new motor at a cost of about £90 and having to remove a good proportion of the dashboard to swap it.

Unfortunately for me, this is spoken from experience........

Thanks for the advice,Illgive it a shot!